[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 668, AVIATION TRUST FUND TAX REINSTATEMENT

  (Mr. FORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today urging my colleagues to support 
H.R. 668. This measure is critical to ensure that funds will continue 
to flow to the Aviation Trust Fund. The Memphis and Shelby County 
Airport Authority, located in my congressional district, is due to 
receive approximately $11 million in airport improvement grants this 
fiscal year to complete construction of the third parallel runway at 
the Memphis International Airport. The airport authority is also 
expecting an additional $4 million for the Noise Compatibility Program.
  I believe it is irresponsible, Mr. Speaker, to further delay capital 
improvements and threaten aviation safety at our Nation's airports. 
Furthermore, any Member of the Congress with a large airport in her 
district understands the serious needs of airport area residents 
adversely affected by aircraft noise.
  Mr. Speaker, my congressional district is one of the Nation's top 
distribution centers, in part because the largest cargo airline in the 
world operates from our international airport.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 668 is essential to commerce not only in the Ninth 
Congressional District but throughout the Nation and the world. I urge 
my colleagues to vote for H.R. 668.

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